BELDING, MI — A large, multi-agency search continues in Belding for missing Devon Morrison, who was last seen near his home on Saturday with a fishing pole headed toward the Flat River.

Authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Michigan State Police, have searched the river near downtown with boats and helicopters for the 10-year-old boy, whom police say is well known in this small town community.

The disappearance is considered suspicious, said Belding Police Chief Dale Nelson.

“Because he has not been located and we don’t have a firm direction as to where he’s at, were treating it as a possible criminal activity,” said Nelson.

Family members reported him missing at 6:15 p.m. after he did not check-in with them on a regular two-hour basis.

A dive team from Kent County was called into search the river with sonar, and a Michigan State Police helicopter conducted infrared imaging of the river and nearby railroad beds during the night.

At 2:30 a.m., a pair of shoes were located in the river by the train trestle near the old Gibson Building site. Nelson said family members are “pretty sure” they belong to Morrison, who was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with the words ‘starter’ in white, and black jeans.

Currently, authorities are going door-to-door in the city. Community members gathered at the VFW Hall around noon were sent canvass state land north and west of town, but were asked to leave the door-knocking to police.

“You’re looking for anything: clothes, blood, tools, anything that doesn’t look to you like it belongs there,” Ionia Sgt. William Hoskins told the large search party that left in cars to search those areas about 11:45 a.m.

“If you find a fishing pole, we need to know it.”

Search party sent to look for Devon MorrisonIonia Sgt. William Hoskins briefs a volunteer search party on Sunday, Sept. 15. The Belding community came out en masse to help find missing Devon Morrison, 10, last seen Saturday about 2:30 p.m. by a neighbor. He told parents he was going fishing. The FBI has joined the search effort, and police are calling the disappearance "suspicious."

Nelson said authorities did not issue an Amber Alert because the case did not meet initial criteria: Morrison was not seen with anyone who could cause him harm and does not have a medical condition that poses an immediate health risk.

Nelson said the FBI called Saturday night to offer their services. “If anything appears out of order, they offer their services and give local agencies a depth of resources and investigative tools.”

Nelson said family members are being questioned, but authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest.

As the disappearance nears the 24-hour mark, Nelson said “we’re concerned.”

Nelson, who said his son plays baseball with Morrison, said the boy has Attention Deficit Disorder. “He moves to his own drum sometimes, but he’s a good kid.”

“Every time you see him, if he doesn’t have a ball glove, he has a fishing rod,” Nelson said. “If he’s out there, I think he’ll make the right choice and come back.”

Anyone with information should call Ionia Central Dispatch at 616-522-0911.